Strawberry time

We got a game cancellation last week because of rain.

So we let it clear up and headed off to pick strawberries instead.

 We were the only ones with the idea so

we were all alone picking and it was so nice!

 The kids ate a couple pounds and help me fill three flats.

 Then we took them home and started to clean them up.

 I had a 'helper' to process some, 

but I think more went into her tummy:)

 We went to the park and it always amazes me 

when they play in the trees rather than the playground.

 Brother/sister love as they went down the slide. 

I took these pictures because the sunsets have been amazing this last week.

God is good!

Chirp, Chirp, Chirp

They are here and they are adorable.

 We finished up school work today and took a field trip to Theisens!

 Poor Dixie(the dog) is unfortunately wired to want to get the birds.

I'm sure she will get used to them.   

 The kiddos can't get enough. 

We played and looked at them for the first two hours of getting them home.  

 Oscar is a bit of a Chicken Whisperer.  

None of the chicks chirp when being held by him.  

I'm attributing that to his nurturing nature.

Once they drink, they tilt their heads up to the sky...it's amazing. 

We have 7 in total(not all named yet):

2 Ameraucanas- Matilda and Nora

2 Production Red Pullets

1 Black Australorp

1 White Leghorn- Big Bird

1 Isa Brown

I love them already and can't wait to stare at them tomorrow!

Living Waters

We had a wonderful field trip with a homeschooling group this past Thursday!

We attended a great camp close to our house called Living Waters Bible Camp.

 The first part of the day was set aside for our sensory hike.

Due to the rain, we had it indoors, 

but they still did a great job teaching all the lessons 

and included hands on projects!

 Ms. Ruth was a wonderful teacher and the kiddos loved the taste portion!

 After lunch, the kids got ready for the bread of life portion, 

and made their own chef hats.

We were so impressed with all the instructors there. 

Ms. Joy was a great teacher and very patient.

 Then mixed out all the ingredients for the bread and 

rolled out bread sticks that they got to taste test.

 Oscar's favorite thing was the grinder...

I'm pretty sure he offered to grind all our flour if we would make/buy a hand grinder:)

 Then we had some free time in the recreation room.

 They had ping-pong and Foosball tables.

We met some great families.

 It reminded me of the camp I went to as a kid, but with a bit different scenery.

 Evie loved the playground!

 There is Joey climbing like a monkey. 

We had a great day and can't wait to go back!

Spring Break

We took our Spring Break a bit early this year

 and headed to Green Bay for a visit with Nana and Papa.  

 We got a chance to go to the Wildlife Sanctuary,

 which I loved as a kid and has changed so much. 

 Joey was going around naming all of the geese and ducks. 

 Then my little mountain goats needed to climb a bit.

 Oscar thought he was taller:)

 Evie enticed the cougar down from his perch.

 Then I saw the cutest three headed turtle I've ever seen.

 Of course, it didn't take much to coax Nana to ride on the turtle shell. 

Although, it was slipperier that we all imagined, which lead to fits of laughter.

(Especially for me!)

 We visited my Aunt Patti and Uncle Ed for a bit

and stopped by a small falls to enjoy more nature.

 Sir Bounce-A-Lots was very fun 

and we were so happy because we had the place to ourselves.

 Trips to the park, tennis tournaments, and walks were 

some of the other fun things that we packed into our trip.  

It was a great time and we walked away with our abs hurting from the laughs.

 Thanks Aunt Patti and Uncle Ed for the dog toys...

Dixie is in LOVE!  

I took home a dresser for our bedroom that used to be my grandparents 

and we love it in our room.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Sugar Snow

It's that time of year again...

Maple Syrup Time!

 And we roll in style fancy tractors and ATVs:)

 Children and God children a like we having a blast 

on the warm day with melting snow.

We got it done in record time and 

the kids had fun getting soaking wet. 

 Only one tree was running when we tapped.

Years prior, we've had almost all of them run when tapped. 

 I always turn into "squirrel mode" when I have all my preserved 

items in my cellar come Fall and don't want to use it all right away.  

About Spring time, I start to re-evaluate and 'splurge' by using it less sparingly.

I know it's a little crazy, but I am what I am.

One the way back from tapping,

Zach and Ashley took all the kiddos in the mule! 

That's one pile of kids.

As always, we had a blast!

I can smell it...

Then again, it might just be wishful thinking.

I really do think it smelled like Spring today!

 I completed Evie's sweater.

Well, it was suppose to Joey's and I ran out of yarn.

It happens:)

 We have been crafting it up.

The kids LOVE ShrinkyDinks!

 Our walk included sunshine,

 snow angels,

 clouds,

and a last ditch effort to save the snow fort!

I had a blast with the kids this afternoon 

and helped them raise the walls a couple of feet.

A months worth...

Here is a picture of the beautiful Christmas morning view we had.

 We got to celebrate with the Brown family for Christmas.

 We are so lucky to have cousins so close!

These two babies were so cute...I wanted to eat them up.  

 Jack and his Jo-Jo:)

 Becky, Allison, and I.  

I just noticed that we didn't get a group picture...:(

 I was able to go visit my sis and brother-in-law Devon in Texas. 

The plan was to help with the baby after he came, 

but he had another plan for us. 

 We had a great time visiting and eating.

Devon is a wonderful chef...I didn't do ANY cooking while I was there.

They spoiled me.

Although I was bummed to miss not holding my nephew,

we had a wonderful time together and was meant to be.

 We got back to 'normal' after Christmas vacation.

We had Evelyn's appointment and it went great.

There will need to be a surgery eventually, but not right now.  

Then we headed to Nana and Papa's house in Green Bay to meet our other cousins. 

 Since we had two of the cousins birthdays in January,

we decided to celebrate Joey and Matilda's birthdays that weekend. 

 The Floridians lucked out with the weather.

There was snow and 'warm' weather:)

We got bundled up to have all kinds of snow fun.

 We built an igloo thanks to the help of my Native Alaskan:)

We got a chance to play on snow hills,

'skate' on the ice rink,

 speed skating,

 and sledding!

 Nora took a couple of big wipe outs, but insisted on skating the whole time.

 Everyone had a blast sledding, even Nana!

I think the Floridians had great winter fun.

 We found a partly built snowman at the park...

added a few items and had a snowman that only took 15 minutes to build.

 The cousins had a blast.

 We started to loose them fast 

so we didn't get a chance to get a picture with all of them.

 This little girl cracks me up!

 She couldn't get enough of her Oscar.

 We had a Star Wars themed birthday for the two princesses.

 Everyone had fun and

 good and sugared up.  

 It was great seeing everyone!

 Then we got home to celebrate the real birthday for Josephine.

As per her request, she wanted a Jessie cake:)

Sooooo mama did her best.

 Joey was happy with it so that's good enough for me.

 I can't believe what a big girl she is growing into.  

 Josephine received a sewing machine from her Aunt Mae Mae and Uncle Brian.

She has been sewing up a storm! 

I guess I didn't realize how much we hd on our plate since the last time I posted.

When I look at the pictures though, it seems like a whirlwind! 

We made a big family decision to homeschool. 

It was something that I felt like I was being called to do.

I must say that we are in our first week and it seems too good to be true!

The kids are enjoying it.

When my sister asked Oscar what he thought of home schooling, he replied,

"It's great.  It's a lot harder than regular school, but we get done faster!"

I'm praying this continues and 

thanking God everyday for this new adventure!